Presentation Philosophy
"If you want to make beautiful music,
you must play the black and white notes
together on the piano."
Rev. Wade Watts
Campinha-Bacote's Philosophy on Teaching Cultural Competence:
The "spirit" and presentation style of the presenter is a critical factor in having a successful seminar on such a sensitive topic as cultural competence in healthcare delivery. Therefore, a very important part of the presentation is how I set the tone of the training. I developed the F.I.R.M. framework to serve as a "firm" foundation for teaching and presenting content on cultural competence in a culturally sensitive manner.
"F" stands for "filling station." Training is intended to serve as a "filling station and not a parking lot," in which I encourage and challenge participants to take personal responsibility in directly applying the information learned to their professional and personal life. Therefore, participants "fill'' their life with meaningful information to apply in everyday situations.
"I" stands for "interaction." I require participants, no matter how large the audience, to interact with me and the audience in order to obtain knowledge in cultural competence as well as adding to their knowledge-base of cultural competence, thus, creating cultural synergy.
"R" stands for "respect." Because of individual differences in the worldviews we hold, there is a great potential of unintentionally offending a participant; or as I call it - "being unconsciously incompetent." As a role model in respecting and valuing differences, I encourage participants to keep me accountable in respecting others. As a trained group leader and facilitator, I provide participants with appropriate opportunities to discuss differences of opinion or how I may have unintentionally offended them. I do this by soliciting feedback about my views during the presentation, at breaks, at the end of the presentation and/or inviting them to write/email me about their concerns. I believe that it is important to let participants know that "we all" are in the process of becoming culturally competent - including myself. Cultural competence is a journey; not a destination. During this journey, we must not only recognize differences, but build upon similarities. We are more alike than different, for we are made in the image of God.
"M" stands for "mirth." I have published and conducted numerous studies on the therapeutic use of humor. As a humorologist, I believe that therapeutic and appropriate use of mirth/humor can be used as an effective teaching tool when dealing with sensitive topics. I always leave the audience with joy and a true sense of hope that that we all are capable of becoming culturally competent.
In summary, I strongly feel that a F.I.R.M. Model approach to the topic of cultural competence in healthcare delivery can bring about positive outcomes; personally as well as collectively.
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Last Updated: June, 2011